Alternative & Conventional Energy Sources – Lecture Review

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards reviewing key facts, definitions, advantages, and drawbacks of alternative and conventional energy sources covered in the lecture.

Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to __.

fossil fuel

Most alternative energy sources are __, meaning they can be replenished naturally.

renewable

The five main alternative energy sources discussed were Biomass, Wind, Solar, Geothermal, and __ energy.

Hydroelectric

Wind turbines convert the rotation of their blades into electricity using an __ generator.

electrical

In 2005, total worldwide wind-power capacity was about __ megawatts.

58,982

A collection of many wind turbines in one location is called a wind __.

farm

Because no fuel is burned, wind power produces no __ that pollute the environment.

pollution

A chief drawback of wind power is its __ nature; without steady wind, output drops.

intermittent

Mauritius’s 1980s Wind Energy Resource Assessment Study identified Curepipe, Plaine des Roches, and __ as promising wind-farm sites.

Britannia

Solar power generates electricity when sunlight strikes __ cells.

solar (photovoltaic)

Solar thermal panels convert sunlight directly into __ for water or air.

heat

Because no combustion occurs, solar power releases no air or __ pollution.

water

Solar power output is minimal when the sun is not __.

shining

Sarako Ltd.’s La Ferme photovoltaic farm contains roughly __ solar panels.

60,800

Geothermal literally means “__ heat.”

earth

Geothermal plants use steam to spin __ that drive electric generators.

turbines

When managed properly, geothermal energy produces no harmful __.

by-products (pollutants)

Drilling incorrectly for geothermal power can release hazardous gases and __.

minerals

Potential Mauritian geothermal sites include Trou aux Cerfs and __ in Moka.

Bar le Duc

Hydroelectric power relies on the potential energy of __ water driving a turbine.

dammed

Hydro plants can quickly meet peak demand by releasing stored __.

water

Building large hydroelectric dams is extremely __.

expensive

Most fossil fuels formed during the __ Period of the Paleozoic Era.

Carboniferous

Coal, oil, and natural gas are collectively known as __ fuels.

fossil

Partially decayed plant matter that precedes coal formation is called __.

peat

__ coal is the hardest variety and has the highest carbon content.

Anthracite

The earliest recorded use of coal occurred in __.

China

Oil is believed to originate from microscopic marine organisms called __.

diatoms

Natural gas is composed mostly of __ (chemical formula CH4).

methane

In CH4, one carbon atom bonds with __ hydrogen atoms.

four

Independent Power Producers are commonly abbreviated as __.

IPP

Plants store solar energy through the process of __, which biomass later releases when burned.

photosynthesis

An advantage of biomass energy is reduced reliance on __ fuels.

fossil

Debate over farm land use for energy crops versus food crops is called the food-versus-__ issue.

fuel

In nuclear reactors, heat is produced by nuclear __ of uranium atoms.

fission

The primary fuel used in most nuclear reactors is the metal __.

uranium

Nuclear power generates very little __ gas compared with fossil fuels.

greenhouse

A 1986 nuclear disaster that shapes public perception occurred at __.

Chernobyl

Long-term storage of spent nuclear __ remains a major challenge.

fuel (waste)

Supplying current world energy solely with biomass would require over __ % of Earth’s land surface.

10

Meeting 100 % of U.S. energy demand with wind would cover about __ million hectares of land with turbines.

80

In 2011, the Central Electricity Board (CEB) of Mauritius generated about __ GWh, roughly 45 % of national demand.

1096

Three CEB thermal stations (Fort George, Saint-Louis, Fort Victoria) run on heavy __ oil.

fuel

Generating electricity from natural gas can cost roughly __ times more than from coal.

four

Mauritian hydro sites with low yield include Plaine Champagne, Ferney, Tamarind Falls, and __.

Le Val

Used cooking oils and animal fats can be processed into the biofuel known as __.

biodiesel

Plants like corn or sugarcane can be fermented to produce the biofuel __.

ethanol

The principal environmental impact of large-scale wind energy is extensive __ use.

land

Advanced nuclear “__ reactors” can breed new fuel and extend uranium resources.

breeder